Australian Story Dear John: John Marsden (1996– ) watch online HD

John Marsden's books have won a huge number of awards both in Australia and overseas and he's now one of the best selling young person's writers in the country, credited with turning book haters on to reading. Some say he's the best thing since that's happened in education in a long time. His critics say he's a dangerous influence on impressionable minds. Marsden says he's not courting controversy - just trying to help a generation with problems. His success has meant great financial rewards including owning one of the largest areas of private bushland in Victoria, but it has come at a cost. His own childhood was troubled and he has a history of depression culminating in a nervous breakdown and hospitalisation. But he has an uncanny ability to get inside teenagers heads - and they love him for it.